Transportation in Cambodia

Cambodia is reasonably well served by its international airports at Phnom Penh and Siem Reap. Other options for getting to and from the country include overland, from Thailand or Vietnam, or by boat up the Mekong River. Getting around can be more difficult, as roads are often in poor condition, and transport can be unreliable - but this can be half the fun!

Take a local bus or boat and get to meet some local Cambodians!

This Cambodia transportation guide has general information about getting around Cambodia. You may also find our Cambodia country guide useful when planning your trip, and what better way to see the local culture than by taking a Cambodia tour.

By Land

Cambodia has land border crossings with Laos (at Voeung Kam, although this crossing is sometimes closed), Thailand (at Poipet, Koh Kong, O'Smach, Pailin, and Kamreang) and Vietnam (at Bavet and Kaam Samnor). You can get a Cambodian travel visa at all of them. If you leave Cambodia via one of the border crossings, you cannot get an entry visa into Vietnam or Laos.

You will need to change transport at land border crossings.

By Boat

You can enter Cambodia from Vietnam by boat up the Mekong river from Chau Doc to Phnom Penh. You change boats at the border.

Getting around

Local Cambodia travel

Generally, local travel at a destination is simple and easy with several local options. Motodups, taxis (larger cities only), and motorcycles or bicycles are available for local travel. A samlor (cyclo) is also a great way to get around and take in the sights and sounds at a leisurely pace.

Between destinations

Travel between different destinations has become a lot easier than it used to, but it can still be an adventurous experience. There are fast and convenient flights between Phnom Penh and Siem Reap. Buses depart several times daily in both directions and has become a competitive option.

Overland road travel by minivan or pickup is often the alternative to more remote destinations. It is cheaper, but often very slow due to poor road conditions in many places.

Boat travel is an option between destinations on the Mekong or Tonle Sap rivers and around Tonle Sap lake. In the dry season boat travel can be slower than road travel. In the wet season it is usually only slightly slower for the same destinations.